May 21, 2003

West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
May 21, 2003
Minutes

Attending: Les Bair, Bob Cifone, Mary Lou Enoches, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice and Ed Smith

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Nick Palso, Al Roth, Dr. Robert White and Kent Wise

Meeting called to Order: 7:04 PM by Chairman Bob Cifone

Bob Cifone began the May 21^st meeting by leading the members of the Park and Recreation Board in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the American flag.

After a review of the minutes submitted for the April 23, 2003 meeting, a motion was made by Mary Lou Enoches to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Les Bair and passed.

The Financial Report dated April 30, 2003 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crews are busy cutting grass at the various Township parks. Kent Wise indicated that the work to rake and reseed the area surrounding the sewer line construction site at the Community Park has been completed. Kent Wise informed that the Grass Management subcontractor has completed overseeding the Soccer Fields at the Community Park, Hallowell Field and the infield areas of both Flagg Field and the baseball field at Richard C. Cloud Park. Kent Wise indicated that additional fieldwork next week would include top-dressing (with compost) the Soccer Fields at the Community Park and Hallowell Field. Kent Wise reported that the Township hired an electrician to replace the circle lights at the Community Park Amphitheater and with newly ordered ceiling lights and fixtures. Additionally, Kent Wise informed he planned to have the electrician correct the remaining electrical problems at the Community Park that are a result of poor workmanship during the original installation. Kent Wise indicated that the final section of the walking path lights (about ¾ of the way down the path from the parking lot) still needed maintenance/repair and stated that additional trenching would be required to correct the problems. Kent Wise informed that this effort would complete the electrical work at the Community Park for the year unless additional problems arise. Kent Wise reported that there is no more storage room available in the Maintenance Shed at the Community Park and stated that as a result, the Township would be taking out the existing bathrooms and enclosing the back pavilion to create about 40 additional feet (double the current capacity) of storage space. Kent Wise indicated that the Township would also be adding 2 new bathrooms on the side of the building. Kent Wise informed that the 2 new bathrooms would not be heated. Kent Wise reported that the Township would bid out the work with the anticipation of beginning construction by mid-July. Michael Pillagalli asked Kent Wise if the additional storage space is satisfactory to support current and future Township storage requirements and suggested the Township should utilize funds held in reserve to build for future expansion. Michael Pillagalli stated that the Township should avoid the quick fix approach informing that it would cost the Township more to add additional storage capacity piecemeal as the need arises. Kent Wise indicated that he would like to see the Township build another storage facility for trucks and trailers at the existing West Goshen Township Building site. Jennifer Grey-Rice expressed concern over the loss of the pavilion and stated that the Township may need to build a replacement at another location if the demand is there.

Recreation: Al Roth reporting on the 2003 Summer Recreation Program informed that he was very pleased with the number of registration requests for the 2003 Summer Recreation Program and indicated there is a potential to fill all 3 parks this year. The statistics for the 2003 Summer Recreation registration are:

Park	Number of Reg.	Park Limit	Remaining Capacity
Barker	111	110	0
Community	126	150	24
Coopersmith	78	110	32

Al Roth stated the registration statistics indicate the increase in price for the Summer Camp program did not impact registration volume. Al Roth indicated that there is a wait list consisting of 6 Township residents and 6 non-residents at Barker Park. Al Roth reported that the staffing for the 2003 Summer Camp program looks good at this time. Summer Recreation staff orientation is scheduled for June 7^th. The orientation program will include CPR and first aid instruction provided by Good Fellowship. Ken Lehr indicated that members of the Park and Recreation Board interested in attending the training are welcome to attend the June 7^th orientation session. The CPR instruction is scheduled to begin around 11:00 AM. Al Roth indicated that the weekly activity/trip schedule for the 2003 Summer Recreation program has been finalized. The 2003 Summer Recreation program is scheduled to begin on June 23^rdand run through August 15^th.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends informed that the May General Membership Meeting was rescheduled for Thursday, June 12th at 7:00 PM. Ken Lehr informed that Kelly Cifone continues to work on sponsor/fundraising duties for the Friends.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Battle of the Bands informed that 9 area bands and approximately 200 people attended this year's event. Ken Lehr informed that the competition had to be moved indoors to the Fugett Middle School auditorium due to the threat of rain. Ken Lehr offered thanks to Ed Smith, Pat Kelly and Bill Kelly, Sam Zug, Jim Hipp and Summer Recreation staff members Kevin Finan and Christian Kelly for judging the talent at this year's event. Ken Lehr informed that the winning band "Event Staff" received a prize of $300.00 and would be offered the chance to perform at the upcoming Teen Night.

Ken Lehr reporting on the VFW Bike Safety Program indicated that the attendance for this year's event was considerably lower than last year informing that 15 to 20 children participated in the event. Ken Lehr reported that this would be the final year VFW Post 106 would sponsor the event. Ken Lehr offered thanks to Ed Smith and Al Roth for providing support for this year's event. Ken Lehr informed that members from the VFW District Post in Lancaster expressed interest in organizing the event for next year. Ken Lehr indicated that the VFW District representatives are looking for ways to improve the event. Ken Lehr stated that the VFW District representatives would need additional support if the event produced a large turnout next year. Additionally, Ken Lehr informed that members from the VFW Post 106 would like to see the District representatives organize and hold the event at another location next year. Ken Lehr reported that the idea of combining the Bike Safety program with the Township's July 4^th Decorated Bike parade was discussed and indicated that the VFW members would have conflicts with other commitments if the event were held on July 4^th. Jennifer Grey-Rice suggested moving the Decorated Bike Parade to Saturday, July 5^th so the event could be combined with the Bike Safety Program. Al Roth suggested that the Bike Safety Program could also be held in conjunction with the Summer Camp program. Bob Cifone asked if it would be possible to have the Friends of the Park and the West Goshen Township Police force jointly promote the Bike Safety Program. Jennifer Grey-Rice stated that another option would be to have West Goshen Township promote the event jointly with other area municipalities.

Ken Lehr reported that the Township would be bringing "Shakespeare to the Park" this year informing that the Vagabond Acting Troupe have been contracted to perform Richard II at the Community Park. Ken Lehr indicated that the cost of the presentation is being partially funded by a donation the Township received in memory of David Lapin. Ken Lehr stated that the Township has scheduled the performance of Richard II at 5:00 PM on Saturday May 31^st with a rain date of Sunday, June 1^st.

Ken Lehr reporting on Teen Night informed that the inaugural event would be held at Green Field Park on Friday, June 13^th from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Ken Lehr informed that the Township is participating in a joint venture with the Borough of West Chester, West Whiteland Township and East Goshen Township to promote the event. Ken Lehr indicated that efforts are underway to also bring Westtown Township into the mix for this year's event. Ken Lehr indicated that volunteers would be needed to support the event. Jennifer Grey-Rice and Michael Pillagalli volunteered to help provide support for this year's event. Ken Lehr reported that North Pole Promotions would provide entertainment that includes a giant climbing wall, giant slides, two obstacle courses that include a giant slide and a replica of the Titanic hitting the iceberg, basketball free throw, baseball speed pitch and a bungee run. Ken Lehr reported that the winner of the May Battle of the Bands contest, "Event Staff" would also be performing at Teen Night. Ken Lehr informed that the event would be promoted thru the various area schools. The cost for the event would be $10.00 per person for tickets purchased in advance or $12.00 per person for tickets purchased at the gate.

Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming Bus Trips informed all of the trips are listed within the Calendar of Events section of the Township Newsletter. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township has lined up a return to Baltimore for a Phillies/Orioles game on June 28^th. The cost of this trip is $34.00 per person. Ken Lehr informed that at this time, 1 of the 3 buses reserved for the Baltimore trip has been filled. Additionally, Ken Lehr reported that he is currently working with representatives from East Goshen Township and the Borough of West Chester to schedule an overnight trip to Boston on Friday, July 18^th through Sunday July 20^th. The Boston bus trip would include hotel reservations for 2 nights, tickets to the Boston Red Sox game, breakfast at the hotel on Saturday and Sunday, a box dinner on the bus and a Boston Duck (amphibious vehicle) tour. The cost of this trip is $299.00 per person based on double occupancy or $449.00 per person for single occupancy. Finally, Ken Lehr indicated that the Township is planning a trip on September 27^th to see the Phillies play the Atlanta Braves on their second-to-last home game at Veterans Stadium. The cost of this trip is $29.00 per person. At this time about ½ of the bus reserved for the Veterans Stadium trip has been filled.

Ken Lehr reporting on the 2003 Summer Concert Series informed that there is nothing new to report at this time. The themes and entertainment for the 2003 Summer Concert Series are listed below:

Date	Theme	Featured Performers	Location	Attendance
June 22nd	Children's Night	Makin' Music	Community Park	N/A
June 29th	Motown	Special Blendz	Community Park	N/A
July 13th	Concert Band	Chester County Concert Band	Community Park	N/A
July 27th	Folk Night	John Flynn	Community Park	N/A
August 10th	Hawaiian Islands	Volcano Choy	Community Park	N/A
August 24th	Doo Wop Night	Stan and the Topics/ 5-3 Woodland	Community Park	N/A

Ken Lehr reporting on Community Day informed that a follow-up planning session has been scheduled immediately after the conclusion of the May Park and Recreation Board meeting. Ken Lehr informed that the planning process for the 2003 Community Day has already started and indicated that many things are already in place. Ken Lehr indicated that most of the entertainment for this year's event has already been lined up and stated that adding additional activities would depend on the availability of volunteers. Ken Lehr informed that several local Boy Scout troops provided support at last year's event helping with various set-up tasks, unloading equipment and staffing the Home Run Derby contest. Jennifer Grey-Rice suggested that the Township should contact the local Boy and Girl Scout troops to line-up additional volunteer support for this year's event.

New Business: Ken Lehr reported that the Bravo Youth Theater has made arrangements to use the Community Park Amphitheater for a performance of "The Music Man Junior." The performance has been scheduled for Friday, May 23^rd at 5:30 PM.

Ken Lehr reported that the Township had received a request from resident Justin King for the use of the amphitheater for the proposed concert tentatively planned for Sunday, August 3^rd from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The proposed concert would feature 3 local bands with each band performing about 2 hours. Ken Lehr indicated that he was not in favor of an all day concert and asked the members of the Park and Recreation Board to set a time limit on the duration of the proposed concert. Jennifer Grey-Rice stated that a 6-hour concert would be too long citing the overtime costs the township would incur to support the event. Additionally, Jennifer Grey-Rice indicated that the performing time for the 3 bands participating in the concert should be limited to a 1 hour per band. Bob Cifone suggested setting a limit on the concert of 4 hours that would allow 1 hour for equipment set-up, 1 hour for breaking down the equipment and 2 hours for performing. Mary Lou Enoches made a motion that the timeframe for the proposed concert should be limited to 4 hours to allow 1 hour each for setting up and breaking down equipment and 2 hours of musical performance. The motion was seconded by Les Bair and passed. Ken Lehr reported that goal of the proposed concert is to raise donations for local charities. Ken Lehr suggested that all donations/proceeds from the proposed concert should be distributed to Chester County Cares.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for June 18^th.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith


	Copyright 2008, West Goshen Twp.